About

The National Dance Council of America, Inc. (NDCA – Established in 1948) is the Official Governing Council of Dance and Dancesport in the USA. With 17 Member Organizations encompassing more than 25,000 dance professionals and over 110 sanctioned competitions and championships, it is the leading authority of dance for Professionals, Amateurs and Pro/Am Competitors.

Its purpose is to provide, on a nation-wide basis, a united inter-association agency to represent the interests of those in the dance profession and other dance-related entities and organizations and to act as the agency for cooperation with similar councils in other countries.

To also conduct a continuing campaign for the establishment and the maintenance of high standards in dance education, to acquaint the public with the nature and benefits of these standards, and to recognize the status of qualified dance teachers affiliated to member organizations of this Council. NDCA is also the home of the United States Dance Congress™, bringing continuing education to the dance community.

The NDCA is the national sanctioning body for the Official National Professional Championships in the USA where the U.S. representatives are selected for World Professional Championships.

The NDCA is the only national organization with five professional world champions and multiple pro/am world champions.

The NDCA is the only national organization with teacher certification through its Member Organizations.

The NDCA certifies judges, through its Member Organizations, for all levels of dance competition. It certifies all levels of scrutineering and determines the classification of judges and scrutineers at the national and world level. It is the official governing body to select U.S. judges for World Championships.

The NDCA represents all aspects of the dance profession – certified teachers, social dance instruction, competitive dance instruction and national and world class coaching.

The NDCA is the only national organization that offers all levels of pro/am competitions (from beginner to world class).

The NDCA sanctions major amateur competitions and championships in all proficiency levels and all ages.

The NDCA is the sole representative of the USA on the World Dance Council which includes 57 countries representing hundreds of thousands of dancers with competitions open to all competitors.

The NDCA is working in harmony with 22 countries in North and South America to promote dance and dancesport, through its establishment of World Dance America.

Through its membership and participation in the Asian Pacific Dance and Dancesport Council, the NDCA is working in cooperation with 16 countries in this ever expanding dance and dancesport market.

History

The National Dance Council of America (NDCA) was formed in 1948 as a non-profit educational organization. It was originally called The National Council of Dance Teacher Organizations (NDCTO).

December, 1947 – Impetus toward a concerted action on the part of dance teachers and their organizations was furnished by passing of the so-called Maryland Bill and the subsequent discussion concerning legislation relating to the dance teaching profession.

June/July, 1948 – Helen Wicks Reid went to England and talked with teachers and officers of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and the Royal Academy of Dancing. She also met with Philip Richardson, Editor of Dancing Times, who was for many years Chairman of the Official Board (of teacher organizations), about the cooperation of dance organizations in self-regulating of the profession.

August, 1948 – Preliminary talks with Mr. Anatole Chujoy of Dance News. It was decided that Helen Wicks Reid, as president of the American Society of Teachers of Dancing, the oldest dance teacher organization in the United States, should call a meeting of representatives of dance teacher organizations. Mrs. Reid asked Mr. Chujoy to act as Chairman because of his qualifications and neutrality.

September, 1948 – Letters were sent by Helen Wicks Reid to Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, New York Society of Teachers of Dancing and Chicago National Association of Dancing Masters inviting them to send representatives to a meeting on October 24, 1948 at the Hotel Astor in New York City.

October 24, 1948 – A meeting was held at the Hotel Astor and Mr. Chujoy was elected Chairman and Catherine McVeigh of Philadelphia was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Continuations Committee the beginning of the National Council of Dance Teacher Organizations. Dance Teachers Club of Boston was also invited to join (there was an error in not inviting them initially thinking they were still just an affiliate club of Dances Masters of America).

February, 1951 – The following organizations were present at a meeting held February 18, 1951 at the Astor Hotel – New York Society of Teachers of Dancing, Dance Educators of America, American Society of Teachers of Dancing, Dance Teachers Club of Boston, Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey, Philadelphia Dancing Association (observer), Dance News and Dance Magazine. The first official president of the NCDTO was Donald Duncan.

In 1962, the NDCA was admitted to membership in the World Dance and Dance Sport Council (WD&DSC), previously known as the International Council of Ballroom Dancing (ICBD), currently known as the WDC, to represent the interest of professional dancers and teachers from the United States in worldwide dancing affairs. In addition to formulating the rules by which NDCA recognition of competitions and championships are granted, the NDCA has the exclusive right to select the professional couples and judges who will represent America in all World Professional Championships.

In 1973 a Scrutineering Examining Committee was formed for the purpose of certifying scrutineers in the U.S.A.

In 1981, in the spirit of cooperation, the North American Treaty was created. This document was signed by the NDCA and the representatives of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA), the official professional body of Canada. The purpose was to open a more direct line of communication between the two countries, specifically in the areas of rules, competition date conflicts, and professional registrations. This Treaty was superseded by the ‘North American Dance Sport Alliance’ in November 2004.

In May of 1986, the United States applied for and was admitted to the Asian-Pacific Council. Members of the Council are: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and United States.

Departments of the Council

Ballroom Department deals with all matters pertaining to all forms of Ballroom Dancing and any Contemporary dances that become popular from time to time.

Public Relations Department deals with all matters pertaining to promotion, publicity, news releases, demographics, information brochures, research and development and commercial business aspects of all forms of dance.

Presidents of the National Dance Council of America 1948 - 2008

Brian McDonald (1994-Present)

Brian has served as an officer of the NDCA for twenty years, sixteen of those years as president. He has attended as a delegate for 20 years. He is former Dance Sport Chairman of the WD&DSC (WDC) and former member of the Presidium of the WD&DSC (WDC).

Vincent Bulger (1988-1994)

Vincent served as national ballroom director of the NDCA for 13 years (1975-1988). Was one of the four people responsible for the transition from NCDTO to NDCA. Facilitated membership for the NDCA to the Asian Pacific Council. Served as president of the NDCA for six years (1988-1994).

John Monte (1975-1980 and 1982-1988)

John served two six-year terms as president of the NDCA. During that time, he was also elected to the postion of vice president of the ICBD. He was the first North American on the Presidium and the first North American on the Joint Committee (ICBD/ICAD).

George Connelly (1981-1982)

George started his Council experience in the 1960’s. He was instrumental in starting a dialogue among the different and sometimes opposing factions of the dance world. His various accomplishments resulted from his humor and his mediation skills.

Bill Davies (1972-1974)

Bill was part of the negotiations, and signed as the Council’s representative, for the original Charter between the American Ballroom Company and the NDCA.

Dennis Rogers (1971-1972)

In additiontion to his term as president, Dennis served as second vice president from 1989 to 1992 and was a delegate from the USISTD for most meetings from 1963 to 1996. He has served as treasurer of the NDCA since 1992.

Jim Smith (Forest) (1970-1971)

Joan Voorhees (1968-70 and 1974-1975)

Joan is remembered for her promotion and advancement of dance as an art and her unselfish devotion, loyalty and boundless commitment to the NDCA.

Russell Curry (1964-1968)

Russell served as the third president of the Council. He remained active in the Council for many years. He believed in its importance to be at the forefront of setting quality standards for our industry, and as a voice for promoting dance in all its magnificence.

This award is presented to individuals who have dedicated themselves to furthering and elevating dance and dancesport in the United States. Without their early and continued efforts, we would not have progressed to where we are today. They have raised the standard of dance and dance competitions and provided the leadership necessary to be prepared for the tremendous opportunity and popularity that has exploded on to the scene today.

This award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in dance and dancesport through teaching, competing, training and coaching, thereby contributing to the high standard of dancing we have reached in the United States today.